Brother Against Brother

Chapter 1, Introduction: The first in a seven-part series about jealousy, truth, and honor among Veterans of the Vietnam War.

Throughout its history, the United States military has been home to some of the greatest warriors found anywhere in the world. Story after story can be found of men who distinguished themselves on the battlefield; their actions a testament to the bravery and sacrifice that has made and kept our nation free. All one needs to do is read the National Archives; the military websites; the award citations of soldiers like Medal of Honor recipient Sgt First Class Paul Smith and Silver Star recipient Leigh Ann Hester to know the caliber of men and women that have unselfishly stepped forward, answering the call of our country's defense.

Vietnam was no exception. In the midst of a world that had seemingly gone mad; in the thick of humid jungles and against an enemy with no uniforms and no rules, men fought bravely and with honor. For many, the honor came not in exemplary deeds, but for simply having the courage to step onto a helicopter day after day; to go out on patrol, to keep fighting the fight. For some, it came as they stood outside a full chopper crying; not out of fear, but because their brothers were dying out on a knoll and there was no room on the helicopter for them to go and help try to save them. As in any conflict, in Vietnam there were those who rose above the call of duty, giving more than anyone asked or expected.

Many earned awards; pieces of metal and cloth that tell the world of the incredible level of their personal sacrifice and achievement: Bronze and Silver Stars for exceptional gallantry and valor, medals such as the Air Medal and the Army Commendation Medal; and for those who were wounded, the Order of the Purple Heart. Yet even in the face of their obvious heroism, they still say, “Don’t write about me. I could have done more that day.”

Over the next few installments of this story, you will hear of people like Gary Linderer, Kenn Miller, Frank Souza, and Rey Martinez. You may already know them; in fact, you may own some of their books. Other men in this story - Riley Cox, Tony Tercero, John Reid, and others - may not be as familiar to you, but by the end of it, you will know them all. These men were brought together by the war in Vietnam; their brotherhood forged in blood, sweat, and combat. They have awards, memories, and familiar names etched on a wall as reminders of their time "in country", as part of F Company, 58th Long Range Patrol. For some of them, the scars are obvious. For some, they are more hidden; silent and lurking - but for all of them, they are permanent. Such is the nature of war.

For most Vietnam veterans, there exists a special type of bond that transcends the rivalries between Army and Marines, Navy and Air Force. In the case of soldiers like the Special Forces and Long Range Patrol, this bond is even stronger.

"I don’t believe due to the type of mission we had and the small size of our patrols that you would find a tighter organization anywhere in the Army," said First Sergeant Darol "Top" Walker. "They were so dependant[sic] on each other to accomplish the mission and for survival that a very strong brotherhood developed."

However, just as every era of our military has had its share of heroes and brothers, it has had its villains as well; cowardly men, deserters, and worse. The same military that gave us Sgt. Rafael Peralta gave us Sgt. Hasan Akbar. The same force that gave us heroes like Audie Murphy trained John Kerry. As much as we would like to forget those who have brought dishonor to the uniform and the code that we have followed, the fact remains that they are there. The reasons are numerous, and at times incomprehensible. As one veteran told me while interviewing him for this story, "Perhaps they have their own demons to feed.”

The United States military awards the Purple Heart for wounds received in combat and the Silver Star for valor under fire, but according to those who have earned them those honorable distinctions can become meaningless if their sacrifice is tread upon. To honor those who have fought valiantly and awarded for their bravery, the truth must come out and the facts will disclose whether these awards were given justfiably.

This story is just that – a quest for the truth. We were asked to uncover what we thought was a case of fakery, horrific deeds and falsely claimed honor. In our own research, we ended up finding more than we bargained for. As the layers of the story were peeled away, we found a group of men that are not perfect; who made mistakes and paid for them. We found men who fought in a war that was dirty and unconventional; who did what they had to do in situations that most of us cannot even fathom. We found boys who went to the other side of the world and came home as old men before they were even old enough to drink. But we also found men who were honorable; who did their very best and made it home. For a small group of soldiers, 20 November 1968 is a day where every conscious second is etched into their memory forever. The battle that began on a knoll in Vietnam almost 40 years ago has continued with a different foe; waged in public and private between men that should have been brothers for life.

We have said many times during the last month of research that nothing mattered except the truth. It was murky, it was hard to find, and there were times we wished we hadn't even looked. But in the end, it was there, just waiting to be found - and it was worth it.

The story is long and complex. It is ugly, emotionally trying and shocking all at once, but it is our hope that you take the time to come back and read each part. It's important; not because of the story we were asked to tell, but because of the truth that is hidden beneath.

It has been our objective to present the two sides of this issue completely and fairly to show why the facts speak for themselves. The true story of what happened on 20 November 1968 will be revealed chapter by chapter, including why there is still a conflict almost 40 years after the bullets stopped flying. For the men involved in this fight the battle rages on, shaping their destinies to this day.

One may wonder why a story like this would still matter; after all, it was so long ago. Yet, does truth become less valuable over time? Does the demand for honor among those who fight in our name diminish with the passing of years? Honor demands that the men and women who wear the uniform of the United States military do so with integrity; not just during their service, but after. More importantly, to a small group of survivors who surrendered their boyhood and ideals in return for scars and nightmares in the bloodbaths of Vietnam, it matters more than you could ever imagine. This is the story of Team 24, F Company, 58th Long Range Patrol and the nightmare of 20 November 1968.

Chapter 2: Ambush in the Ruong Ruong The mission begins. A 12-man ‘hunter/killer’ team is inserted into the mountainous rainforest of the Ruong Roung.

Chapter 3: Nowhere To Go Expecting a reaction force that never comes, the LRPs linger in the kill-zone while the NVA stealthily surround their perimeter. Pounded for hours by a firefight, they face disaster.

Chapter 5: To Save Our Brothers Even though they were doing their best to stay alive, the LRPs of Team 24 knew they were dead men. What they didn’t know was that their brothers were trying to save them.

Chapter 6: The Legacy of 20 November 1968 The aftermath of the battle on the little knoll has reached farther than any of us can imagine.

Chapter 7: The Accusations, Part 1. After the hell endured by the men of Team 24 in the Ruong Ruong Valley, they have come under fire by a fellow veteran and his wife who say they have engaged in a cover-up of what really happened.

Readers say:

* OUTSTANDING… I feel as though I’m there…. I’m in awe!!!!

* For eight years this story has been scrutinized, attacked, distorted and misrepresented. Finally the truth about 20 November 1968 is presented without bias. Be silent cynic.

* Wow…great writing…I can see this in my mind, as if I am watching it through time itself.

* Kit, Heidi, this story has me on the edge of my seat. Where do we find such heros?

* This is one of the best written articles I have read concerning Viet Nam. I served with L Co 75th which evolved from F 58th LRRPS. I also served with Reily Cox when he returned to the company in 69. TM 24 remains a legend in the history of the LRRPS/Rangers. How Hall can take anything away from this team is unbelievable and is a dicredit to him.

* You both have done a wonderful job of showing us how the events of Nov 20th unfolded. The men who fought on that hill, the Kingsmen pilots and the rescue team were incredible. Any thing I could say about them just would trivialize what they did. Their story should be required reading for everyone. They truly were and are the-best-of-the-best. Thank you for the effort.

* Great writing with a story that has to be cleared up amoung all involved. I know these men, and they are all brothers forever.

* I’M GLAD THAT SOME-ONE IS GETTING TO THE TRUTH OF ALL THIS. GARY LINDERER, IS AND WILL ALWAYS BE A FRIEND OF MINE. I’M SICK AND TIRED OF MR. DON C. HALL AND HIS ALIGATIONS AGAINST GARY AND ALL MY BROTHERS. DON HALL HASN’T GOT THE GUTS TO COME FACE TO FACE WITH GARY OR ANY OF US.SO FAR YOUR DOING A WONDERFUL JOB. CONTINUE THE MISSION. EL HALCON.(THE HAWK)

* This is VERY good stuff! Awesome job!

* I am pleased to promote a particularly well-written, professionally researched, serially installed blog opus titled “Brother Against Brother.” Kit Jarrell and Heidi Thiess at Euphoric Reality present a “seven-part series about jealousy, truth, and honor between men who fought in a place called Vietnam.” It’s a narrative that folds together the honor that is battle under the American flag with the dirt, disarray, and deviousness that is war — and how that can extend to not just the enemy, but to comrades in arms… and long after the battle has been fought on the ground.

Just reading the first chapter evoked in my mind disturbing images of Sen. John F. Kerry, someone who, in my opinion, has dishonored the United States Navy, the American military, and the American people through his life’s work, both during and after his “service.” But Kit and Heidi’s series is not about John F. Kerry. It is about real military, real soldiers, real heroes.

* Exceptionally well written and researched, “Brother Against Brother” is at once engaging and painful to read, but an important read it is.

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